Planning an
Alphabet Bridal Shower?

An alphabet bridal shower is one of the most popular and well-loved bridal shower themes possible!

It’s been around for ages, and it’s a fun way to get all the guests in on the fun! The idea? Each letter is given a letter of the alphabet. She must then bring a gift to the shower that starts with that letter. Ideal for a large crowd, this theme is sure to please!

The Guest List

In planning an alphabet bridal shower, the first step is to take a good look at the guest list. Each guest will need to be assigned a letter. This can be done through the invitation. Why not design a cute letter for each guest out of colored cardstock that they must attach to their wrapped gift? Make sure that the instructions are very clear. For example, if Maria gets the letter L, she might purchase Lotion, Lingerie or a Letter Opener.

If you don’t want to follow the letters of the alphabet, why not use the letters of the bride’s name? Spell out her full name (with her middle name, depending on the number of guests), and assign each guest a letter. If you don’t have enough letters for everyone, you can always buy small gag gifts to fill it out. This is especially fun because as the pile of gifts grows, it will spell out the brides name. If you have a crafty group of friends, challenge each guest to create a unique letter on the outside of the gift, rather than supplying them with letters to attach.

Once you have assigned each person her letter, it’s time to arrange a seating plan (especially if you are hosting a large shower, which you likely are with this sort of theme). Consider having ladies seated by letter – for example, letters A to H could sit together, and so on, depending on table size.

Invitations

An alphabet bridal shower is a theme that is guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing! Whether you plan on buying your invitations or making them yourself, remember to use bright colors, cute images and don't be afraid to think outside the box!

Things to try:
- Cut cards into the shape of letters and assign one to each guest.
- Use bright, bold colors such as reds, blues, yellows and greens.
- Instead of traditional invitations, send your guests origami "building blocks" made out of paper. Have your information written on the inside of the block for them to read when they open it.
- Go one step further and send your guests actual toy building blocks with paper information tags attached to them.
- Use scrabble pieces to spell out words on thick card stock.
- Cut letters out of magazines and use them to build the words in your invites.
- Make your card look like a chalk board with chalk writing.
- Incorporate the typical teacher's "red apple" into your invitations.

Alphabet Bridal Shower Decorations

If you’re decorating, consider using the letters of the alphabet or the bride's name as an ongoing theme for your shower. You can find lots of decoration inspiration ideas at a teachers center near you – look for alphabet borders and posters, chalk boards and other teachers' tools.

Our Top Picks
- Alphabet building blocks
- Chalk boards on easels
- Scrabble boards
- Alphabet posters/boarders/banners
- Red apples
- Chalk
- Cut letters out of construction paper and put them on the walls
- Childrens "A is for Apple" posters or flash cards
- Childrens alphabet learning toys
- Alphabet confetti
- If a classier look is needed (on top of cakes, embroidered in pillows, etc), use monogram wedding decals.

If you love the idea of incorporating monogram letters into the bridal shower, ask each guest to bring some sort of monogrammed gift – this can get pricey so make sure it’s appropriate to your group, first.

Menu Ideas

Drive your theme home by putting the menu in alphabetical order as well! Most items can be renamed if needed – for example, you might start with "Amazing Soup", instead of just "Soup"!

Here are some theme related menu ideas:
- Homemade alphabet soup
- Letter shaped cookies (use alphabet cookie cutters to shape mini sandwiches too!)
- A building block shaped cake
- Use icing to draw letters onto normal cupcakes and pastries
- Write the menu out using scrabble pieces, or letter shaped stamps or stickers
- Red delicious (teachers) apples

Games, Anyone?

When it is time for the bride-to-be to open her gifts, she should do it in order of the alphabet, beginning, of course, with the letter A – unless she’ll be opening an assortment of gifts that will spell out her name. The gift-giver should give a little piece of advice about her letter. For example, Maria could say “Here is a LOVELY gift for the LOVE of your LIFE!”

Other games should be word oriented. Consider having a bridal word scramble, a wedding crossword puzzle, or some other word-related wedding game challenge.

Here are some of our favorite games:

An alphabet bridal shower is such a fun theme that you'll have an absolute blast running with! Try to surround every aspect of the shower with theme related items, and always try to find a way to turn any non-theme-related items into a hit too.

Monogram as much as you can; everything from cupcakes to cookies covered in the bride’s initials, and even the stack of thank-you cards she’s given as a gift should feature her first initial (this will ensure she can use them in the future, whether she changes her name or not).

The crazier you go the better, so have fun!

Here are some more Alphabet themed items you can find online:

-- Alphabet Bridal Shower --

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